Ruslan Sayakhov escaped to India and became a yoga guru after killing his girlfriend and disposing her body in a Russian jungle in 2012
A Russian man, who fled to India and became a “yoga guru” after allegedly killing his girlfriend in his country five years ago, has finally landed in the Delhi Police net.
The 28-year-old accused, identified as Ruslan Sayakhov, was on the Interpol’s “wanted list”. He allegedly murdered his girlfriend — whom he suspected of having an affair — disfigured her face, chopped the body and then burnt all the parts in a jungle in Russia in 2012, police said.
Sayakhov had been on the run for over five years and was living as a yoga guru in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
Police claimed Sayakhov was a weightlifter and represented Russia at international events.
According to sources, Sayakhov first took lessons in yoga and spirituality in India, grew his beard and hair to conceal his identity and then started working at different ashrams where he taught yoga and meditation.
“Just two days after killing V. Fokina, his girlfriend, he fled Russia and came to India. During his stay here, he worked with many gurus. He was, of late, working at Vashishtha Yoga Center, near Manali,” a police source said. “He also disclosed that he had a considerable following in the area and people came from far of places to learn from him.”
The sources revealed that the Delhi Police had received an input about Sayakhov visiting someone near the Russian Embassy, following which a trap was laid and he was nabbed on 15 September.
“He could not produce the relevant documents when asked for and was taken into custody. His details were then shared by the CBI and subsequently the Interpol. The agency then confirmed that a red corner notice was issued against him on 3 June, 2013 and that he was on the Interpol’s wanted list. His credentials were also verified from the Russian Embassy and Russian ministry of external affairs too was informed,” a police officer said.
Police claimed Sayakhov had confessed to the crime. He told the police that he planned the murder and his escape well in advance.
“He revealed that he had roped in a friend to help him dispose of the woman’s body. While Sayakhov fetched petrol and a sports bag in which he stuffed Fokina’s body parts, his friend got his car that they took around 30 km inside a jungle along the highway to dispose of the body parts.
He said they burnt the body parts, along with a stack of shrubs, to ensure that the victim could not be recognised,” an investigator said.
Sayakhov was produced in court and has been sent to judicial custody till Russian authorities take over and he is extradited.